🤴 The King's Promise.
The grand hall was empty.
Rain tapped gently against the stained glass windows. The air was still, heavy with the scent of old stone and forgotten history.
Rehan stood alone in the centre, dressed in formal dark robes. His sword rested in his hips , but his thoughts were else where-- far from battles and blades.
His gaze wers distant. His fists clenched.
Then, the tall golden doors opened with a soft creak.
The queen entered.
Graceful, commanding , radiant in her deep purple gown, she walked in a deep poise of a ruler born and built of power.
She didn't smile.
She stopped in front of him, hands folded.
"I know," she said, her voice sharp but quiet, "that you have started falling for her."
Rehan didn't answer.
His eyes lowered.
His jaw tightened, shame crawling up his throat.
The queen stepped closer.
"You were only five years old when I bought you here. Do you remember .The decision is already been taken."
A pause.
Then she whispered--
"That you would be the next king."
Rehan nodded slowly.
His eyes didn't meet hers.
"Yes, my queen."
She walked past him, her voice cold now, like marble.
"And a king..... does not have the luxury of a love life. A king belongs to the crown. The people. Not to one heart."
Rehan finally spoke, his voice quiet but steady.
"I know, my queen."
He lifted his chin, swallowing the pain behind his words.
He bowed deeply.
"I promise."
The queen looked at him for a long time.
Then turned without a word and walked away, her robes trailing behind like a smoke.
Rehan remained still, his heart pounding silently --- heavy with everything he couldn't say.
And in that silence...
He heard ina's voice in his memory---
"Please dont leave me..... Stay....."
He closed his eyes.
But his face remained hard.
Because the kings don't cry.
Days turned to weeks.
Weeks turned to months.
The seasons shifted as ina trained with fire in her heart and steel in her hands.
She has mastered every sword move- every stance, strike , defence. Her blade was no longer just a weapon. It was an extension of her soul.
She could fight blind-folded. Dance through ten opponents . She had defeated shadows, illusions, and even a demon who rose from the black mist.
But now....
One challenge remained.
👑 The Summon.
The morning, a royal hawk flew to her cabin window.
A message sealed in a gold ribbon.
"You are summoned. The queen awaits. Come ready."
Ina stood still, then smiled faintly.
She dressed in a white warrior robe , stitched with silver thread and fire symbol. Her sword was strapped to her back. Her hair tied in a warrior braid.
She walked alone to the palace.
Strong. Calm. Radiant.
🌟 The Queen's Hall.
The massive doors of the palace opened.
Ina stepped in.
Everything felt silent.
The queen stood at the far end of the glowing hall, dressed in violet and gold. Rehan stood beside her, arms crossed, and face unreadable.
Ina walked slowly, each step echoing in the marble chamber.
When she reached the throne, She bowed.
The queen's eyes gleamed . "Rise my warrior."
Ina looked up-- her face lit with pride .
But then-- Rehan's voice cut through the air like steel.
"No," he said.
Everyone turned.
He stepped forward, raising his hand.
Blue fire danced from his palm, swirling in the air like a living flame.
"She is not ready. Not yet."
Ina flinched, confusion flickering her eyes.
Rehan continued, his tone sharp. "She's mastered the sword. Her body is strong. But that's not enough."
He turned to her, the fireball spinning around his palm.
"You have to master this."
The fireball exploded upward into a cloud of shimmering sparks.
Gasps echoed through the chamber.
The queen said nothing- -- but her smile faded.
Ina stared, jaw clenched.
"Magic," she whispered.
Rehan nodded slowly. "Not just magic, your magic. The part of you you've never touched."
A long silence.
Then ina stepped forward, fire already rising in her blood.
"Then teach me," she said .
"I will learn it. Master it. Just like I did everything else.
Rehan's eyes narrowed-- but a flicker of pride danced in them.
"We'll see," he said softly.
"Then follow me," said the queen.
Ina started following the queen.
The palace looked the same..... But something felt different.
Ina followed the queen down a winding staircase behind the throne hall. Rehan walked silently beside them, his face unreadable as always.
They entered a new wing-- one she had never seen before.
A room stretched out before them, glowing with strange colours.
Snow flakes floated mid air, never touching the ground.
It rained-- but there was no water. Just drops of light.
The air shimmered with dark, purple energy, like smoke trapped in slow motion.
Swords of every kind hung on the stone walls,
humming with power.
Ina stepped in and felt her skin tighten, her heartbeat quicken.
"My queen... where are we?" She whispered.
"This place feels like... Something is watching us".
The queen didn't answer.
Rehan, for once, looked just as uncertain.
"Even I don't come here ofter," the queen said finally. "Only those choosen do."
She turned to the far end of the room, where a door stood- old , wooden, glowing faintly. Something about it pulled at ina's chest.
Ina stared.
Then she muttered to herself-- "there's a room inside the room, wow! this palace is amazing."
She rubbed her palms nervously.
The queen's voice echoed.
"Open this door , ina."
Ina blinked.
"M- me"? Ina asked.
"Yes. You. Open it", said the queen.
A chill crept through her spine. Her palms were sewaty. Her fingers trembled as she reached the door.
The knob was cold.....yet buzzing with energy. She turned.
The door opened.
A blast of light-- blinding, pure, and endless-- exploded from the crack.
Ina gasped.
The room disappeared.
The walls vanished.
Her feet were no longer touching the ground.
Just light.
White. Gold. Alive.
She covered her eyes--but it was inside her now. Flooding her.
And then.
Nothing.
She couldn't see.
Not darkness.
Not light.
Nothing.
Her breath caught in her throat.
"Rehan," she whispered.
"Queen.....?"
No answer.
She wasn't just blind.
She was somewhere else.